Failure is Not a Factory-Installed Option

"Failure is not a Factory-Installed Option" is the third episode of the second season of the animated series American Dad!, with 8.39 million viewers tuning in.

Plot summary

Stan was formerly the CIA's best interrogator until he lost his confidence and his job when a car salesman gets the best of him in a negotiation. To get even, Stan comes up with an elaborate scam that temporarily costs his family their integrity. He pretends to go crazy and to try and earn money, leading to Hayley having to sell herself for sex, an event which traumatizes her. When Stan finally gets a better deal on the car, he reveals that he actually scammed the car salesman. After learning he pretended to go crazy just for a better car deal, the family is... shocked to say the least.

Meanwhile, Roger and Steve set up a makeshift drive-in to try to get to first base with popular schoolgirls.

This episode continues the saga of Roger's solid gold, jewel laden turd, which began in the episode Homeland Insecurity. The scene begins with the screen turning to a 16:9 aspect ratio, and we see a drunk man who agonizes over the fact he killed his best friend for just a golden turd, then found out that his wife was cheating on him. He drives his car onto the railroad tracks and gets hit by a train.

A cop (played by Beau Bridges) and his partner come to investigate, and when one of them sees the gold turd, he hides it from his partner and takes it home to his wife (Swoosie Kurtz). They begin to speak of how it will pay for a great retirement and a house in Boca Raton, but the cop regrets his decision and wants to take it back and face the consequences. He's a week from retirement and afraid that he might get fired if found out. The wife apparently accepts his decision, but when she starts making tea, she adds rat poison to his cup, followed by a "To Be Continued" slate. Template:Endspoiler

Cultural References

• When Francine and Hayley are cleaners, the lady acts in the same manner as Deborah from Spanglish, treating them as immigrants with no knowledge of English. She even goes as far as threatening them with the INS.
• After finding out that his afternoon is clear, Deputy Director Bullock sings "When I'm cleaning windows"(Lyrics) by George Formby.
• Roger makes a reference to Flowers for Algernon, calling Steve Algernon after he yells an idea out loud.

Notes

• They show the reading of the letter at the end of The Breakfast Club at the drive-in movie at the home scene.

• Roger wears the same cut off gloves and poses in the same manner from the ending scene as well.